Clock



Nov. 5, 1935.

M. JAUCH CLOCK Filed Jan. 17, 1954 INVENTOR v Marina -6l 33 JM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE onocrr Martin Jauch, Newark, N. J. Application January 17, 1934, Serial No. 700,936 2 Claims. (01. 58 -126) My present invention relates to clocks and similar instruments for indicating time and more particularly to a novel instrument of such character constructed with two dials facing in op posite directions and with each of which is associated the usual hour and minute index hands.

My invention offers numerous peculiar advantages in connection with two dials, disposed in oppositesides of the instrument and each furnished with the usual index hands operating in the customary clockwise direction.

The details of my invention will be described with reference to a clock although it is to be understood that the utility of the principles of my invention is not limited to that particular class of time-indicating instruments and the use of the term clock is intended to include any time-indicating or measuring instrument in connection with which my invention is adapted to be employed.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact and composite motion-transmitting mechanism which receives its motion from the actuated train of gears and functions to operate the hour and minute hands of the two dials in proper clockwise direction. This composite motion-transmitting mechanism is constructed to include manually operated means whereby simultaneously to set the hands movable on the two dials.

Another object is to so construct the composite motion-transmitting mechanism that its axis in its longitudinal direction will be coaxial with the centers of the two oppositely facing dials and that its parts will be compactly arranged to function in a relatively small space transversely of the clock, thereby enabling the provision of a clock having a relatively thin or narrow cross section between two oppositely faci118 dials.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and relative arrangement of parts so constructed as to coact and cooperate with each other in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and comprises in its evolvement the simple and practical example illustrated in the accompany ing drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation taken through the frame of a clock showing the composite motion-transmitting mechanism of my invention;

F18. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation, showing the interconnecting pinion and associate mechanisms, these parts being separate but in proper 5 relative relation for assembly; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the interconnecting pinion and opposing crown wheels geared therewith.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying 10 drawing, in and I0 denote in part opposite sides, of a relative narrow framing for supporting the working parts of the clock, and II and II denote in part oppositely spaced dials the outer sides of which face in opposite directions and which 15 may be provided in the customary manner with markings indicative of twelve-hour divisions of time, the said dials being illustrated in'dash-dot lines. Associated wtih the outer face of the dial II are the usual minute and hour hands l2 and 20 I3, and with the outer face of the other dial II are the usual minute and hour hands I! and ii. For the operation of the two pairs of oppositely facing index hands, I provide two sets of groups of motion transmission mechanism having 25 main coaxial centers of movement extending in a longitudinal direction transversely of the clock and in alignment with the centers of the two oppositely disposed dials. Included in these two sets of groups are two spaced coaxial hollow 30 spindles l6 and I6, andalso two spaced coaxial sleeves l1 and I1 which are mounted for rotation upon the spindles. As shown in the drawing, the sleeves l1 and I1, wherein the corresponding spindles have rotating movement, are 35 journaled in suitable bearings provided for the purpose in the oppositely disposed frame parts, and the outer ends of the spindles and sleeves protrude through the centers of the dials for the attachment of the index hands. The minute 40 hands I 2 and I4 are carried by the tubular spindles l6 and I6, respectively, the means for attaching these ends consisting in providing them in well-known manner with plugs I8 shaped to have detachable frictional fit within the outer 45 ends of the tubular spindles. The hour-hands l3 and I5 are attached'to the outer ends of the sleeves H and II, respectively, said hour-hands being provided in well-known manner with suitable eyes in which the outer ends of the sleeve members have firm frictional engagement.

Disposed between the inner ends of the tubular spindles l6 and i6 is a central cylindrically shaped body Hi from the opposite ends of which project integrally connected trunnions 20. As 66 mounted for rotation upon these trunnions and the inner ends of the spindles are provided with rim flanges which against the ends of the central member. Secured to the inner end portions of the spindles ll and I O are crown gears 2| and 2|, respectively. 22 denotes a stem or shaft having rotatable nt in a transverse diametricai bearing 22 provided for the purpose in the central body I9, this arrangement being such that the rotatable stem 22 is at right angles to the trunnions 20 and hence to the long axes of the spindles and sleeves. Between the two crown gears 2| 2| is an interconnecting pinion 24 which is carried by the stem 22. By this arrangement, it win be evident that on rotation of the interconnecting pinion the two spindles II. and It will be driven in opposite directions. It will be equally evident that through the pinion and crown gears therewith geared, if either of the tubuiarspindles be rotated in one direction, the other of the spindles will be rotated in an opposite or reverse direction. Through the stem 22, the central body I! is held against rotation, the means to this end being represented as consisting of a bracket member 25 having therein a suitable opening or hearing for the stem, said bracket in the present instance being attached to the frame part II. The stem may be held against longitudinal movement by means of a collar 26 designed to abut against the cylindrical surface of the central member, in connection with a collar 21 which abuts against the outer face of the bracket member 25. The outer end of the stem 22 is provided with a finger-piece 28 which may positely facing dials of the clock.

For the purpose of transmitting motion to the sleeve I! from the rotation of the hollow spindle l6, transmission gearing is provided and the same is representedas comprising a pinion 29 fixed to the spindle It, a connected gear and pinion lll and 3|, and a gear 22 which is flxd to the sleeve II, the gear 30 being in engagement with the pinion 29 while the m bn u is in engagement with the gear 32.

be operated in proper time measuring relation with respect to the minute hand, that is to say, the hour-hand will be operated so as to make one-twelfth of a revolution while the minutehand makes one complete revolution. For similarly operating the hour-hand l5, there is a similar gearing train comprising pinion 29' attached to the crown gear 2|, a gear 30', a pinion 3| attached thereto and a gear 32' attached to the sleeve ll. The gear parts 30 and Il may be supported upon a suitable pin 33 provided for the purpose on the clock frame; and in a similar manner the gear parts 30' and 3| may be supported upon a pin 33'. Either of the tubular spindles, It or It, may be operated by any suitable or approved clock train of gears, actuated from any suitable source of power, as by a motor, if it is desired to operate the clock by electric power, or by an expanding spring, or even by a falling weight. In the present exempliflcation, I show a gear 24 which represents a power-receiving element adapted to be actuated by any suitable train .of gears for transmitting motion to the two transmission mechanisms of my inven- Tne ratio of this gear-; gig ing is, of course, such that the hour-hand it will Q shown in the drawing, the tubular spindles are tion. In the present mnbodiment, the prime mover or power-receiving gear 34 is represented as loosely encircling the tubular spindle It between the pinion 29 and crown gear 2 I, this gear 24 being held with the requisite degree of firm- 5 lies; for the proper transmission of motion to the spindle It, by means of a circular spring 25 which surrounds the said spindle l8 between the pinion 20 and gear 24 so as to exert its tensioning force against the gear 24 and maintain the 10 same normally rigid with the crown gear 2|, whereby upon the rotation of the gear 34 both transmission mechanisms will be properly operated with it.

From the foregoing description, taken in con- 15 nection with the accompanying drawing, it will be evident that upon the rotation either of the prime mover II or of the stem 22, the hour and minute hands associated with the oppositely facing dials willbe operated. It will also be 20 evident, in view of the arrangement of the spindles and sleeves, of the interconnecting pinion 23 between the crown gears attached to the spindles and of the gearing between the spin-' dies and their respective sleeves, that when the 25 minute and hour-hands associated with one of the dials are moved in one direction, the minute and hour hands associated with the other of the dials will be moved in an opposite or reverse direction. In view of the fact that the two dials 30 face in opposite directions, the meaning of this arrangement is that in the normal operation of the clock, both sets ofg hands will be moved in a clockwise-direction.

Ihave he, infshown 'anddescribed an embodi- 35 ment of mypresent invention which has been found highly'sati'sfactoryin-.actual use, nevertheless it is to be understood that the essential features thereof may alsobe in various other clock .or time iece-"tconstructions, and 1,40

' therefore. r se ve-messen er: resorting. ,t.o all lles im en s in aflohso te-ev nness ma .be' f'iairlyf cousin within' the, spirit and clam I 46 fo operating, the index members of opposing relation,

s1 Supportingthe index member for each d. evices extending between the dials and 50 m n coaxial "relation, including crown' gears onthefsplndle devices and an interconnecting pinion" geared with the crown gears, a cylindrical member'disposed between the spindle devices and having integral trunnions projecting from its opposite ends on which the spindle devicesare mounted for rotation, said member also having a diametrical bearing in its body centrally thereof between the trunnions, a stem carrying the pinion for rotation thereby and rotatively journaled in said bearing, said stem being effective to prevent rotation of said member and having means other than said pinion providing for its rotation.

' 2. In a clock of the type which includes two groups of mechanisms operated in opposite diproper clock ratio, a cylindrical element axially interposed between the groups and having axial trunnions projecting from its opposite ends on which respectively the minute hand sleeves are mounted and supported for their rotation, confronting crown gears fixed on the inner ends of said minute hand sleeves adjacent opposite ends of said element, a reversing pinion engaged between said crown gears, a clock operated driving gear connected with the minute hand sleeve of one group for operating the same and through said crown gears and interengaged pinion to operate the opposite group at equal speed, said element having a diametrical bearing therethrough, a shaft carrying said pinion and therewith rotatable, said shaft being rotatably journaled in said bearing and established so as to maintain said element against rotation, and separate means on said shaft for manually rotating the same.

MARTIN JAUCH. 

